Why redundancy is good and can change your life forever

As the decade comes to a close, it’s only natural to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going. The Industrial Revolution of the 20th century brought with it countless inventions that made life easier. The Information Age of the 21st century followed as technology and digital media rapidly transformed society and connected the globe. But technology certainly hasn’t solved all our problems. Indeed, it has exacerbated old problems and created entirely new ones, notably a significant loss of traditional manual jobs. Hardworking employees in many industries are facing or experiencing redundancy.

In February 2019, an article in the Commons Library reported that automotive brands, including Nissan, Honda, and Vauxhall, will cut thousands of jobs as they permanently close their UK plants or move production overseas. Jaguar Land Rover — which produced 30% of the UK’s cars in 2018 — plans to cut 4,500 jobs, 23% of their UK staff, by 2021.

The UK’s construction industry faces a similar crisis. 2019 saw the number of new construction jobs plummet to a new low since 2009. UK building lobbies predict that, if the pattern continues, many smaller construction firms will have to close up shop. The manufacturing industry is in the same bind as recently as November 2019, with The Independent reporting a “lethal cocktail of problems” that caused the biggest loss of jobs in seven years.

The sudden liquidation of travel firm Thomas Cook in September 2019 displaced over 100,000 travellers, making it the “biggest ever peacetime repatriation,” according to the BBC. Of the tens of thousands of jobs threatened worldwide, 9,000 were based in the UK. Founded in 1841, Thomas Cook was one of the most famous travel agencies in the world — but its long history and glittering reputation didn’t protect it from collapsing.

Why redundancy is a good opportunity to choose a new career

Employees who face or have experienced redundancy may not know where to turn. Redundancy is a difficult process that leaves people wondering what they did wrong. In reality, redundancy often has very little to do with individual performance.

But there is a positive side: redundancy offers the perfect chance to re-evaluate your career goals and choose a new path that aligns with your aspirations. It’s the ideal time to ask yourself: Does this job make me happy? Is it engaging? Am I bored? Do I really want to spend the next 20 years doing the same thing?

If you have any doubts at all, consider this. If you’re like many employees made redundant, you’ve likely invested more than a third of your day, five days a week, for years on end, to a company that’s seemingly too big to fail. Yet, as we’ve seen, even the biggest companies can fail due to unforeseen or uncontrollable circumstances. Uncertainty is part of every job, so why not invest in your health, happiness, and future and choose a new path altogether?

Benefits of joining a franchise in a “recession-resilient” industry

If you’re craving a fresh start after redundancy, or if your industry is one of many threatened by budget cuts and political crises, consider joining a franchise that fits your lifestyle. You’ll enjoy the freedom of self-employment alongside the support of a well-established organisation.

There’s no better time than the present to join a franchise. According to the British Franchise Association (BFA), franchising is one of the fastest-growing industries in the UK. An astonishing 90% of franchises reap big profits, a trend that’s continued for over 20 years. Compare that to 60% of independent small businesses that fail within three years of opening.

Pet care franchises are one of the UK’s most lucrative sectors. Pup parents in the UK spent more than £1 billion on dog walking services alone in 2015, earning dog walkers a 20% higher salary than the average UK employee.

This is just one reason why pet care is a “recession-resilient” sector. However, there are risks involved with any business in any industry. Not every pet care business will be successful, but well-established brands are better equipped to withstand economic downturn. The BFA’s Natwest Franchise Survey found growth trends in the franchising industry were “uninterrupted” by the 2008 recession.

The science of the dog walk

When you join the DogKnows family, you’ll receive intensive training from a trusted brand with more than 20 years’ experience in the canine care business.

Many dog lovers have some knowledge of dog behaviour and training. But with our signature formula, the Science of the Dog Walk, you’ll learn the ins and outs of dog welfare and handling.

Our ten-day, one-to-one training programme will teach you how to:

manage dog group dynamics

tailor a walk to meet a dog’s individual needs

read canine body language and cognitive behaviour

safely and effectively control dogs using force-free training methods

The support doesn’t end there. We assist our franchisees with every aspect of their business, including recruiting and managing employees, finding and building a list of loyal clients, using social media effectively, and more. We can even help you start your journey to become a certified dog trainer.

We’ll walk alongside you every step of the way to happiness, health, and success. And when our franchisees experience unexpected challenges, they can ring the DogKnows Helpline anytime for instant answers to their canine behaviour and training questions.

DogKnows is the only pet care franchise in the UK accredited by the British Franchise Association and the Animal Behaviour Training Council. As one of the first dog walking businesses in the UK, we set the bar high — transparency, consistency, compassion, and safety are at the forefront of our business philosophy.

You don’t even need to be qualified or own a dog to become a DogKnows franchisee. In fact, you already have everything you need to succeed: time management skills, social skills, and, most importantly, a love of dogs.

Ready to take the first step?

As information technology continues to transform society and industry, it’s important for today’s employees to consider where they’ll go next. Will you spend this new decade doing the same mundane job? Or will you follow in the footsteps of our happy franchisees and discover a rewarding, profitable career working with dogs?

Keen to learn more about becoming a DogKnows franchisee? Download our free workbook to discover if joining the DogKnows family is right for you. This 20-page workbook includes:

a full list of our services

useful information about the franchise and pet care industries

exercises that allow you to do some soul-searching and rate your suitability

If you have questions, we have answers. Read our FAQ, or contact us via email, form, or phone. You can even schedule a 15-minute phone call with our founder to hear her personal story and ask questions directly. It’s just one of the many ways we do things differently here at DogKnows.